Devi Choudhurani Odia Book By Bankima Chandra Chottipadhyaya
                     Devi Choudhurani Odia Book By Bankima Chandra Chottipadhyaya
Devi Chaudhurani is a Bengali novel written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and published in 1884. 
It was later translated to English by Subodh Chunder Mitter. Following closely after Anandamath, 
Bankim Chandra renewed call for a resurgent India that fights against oppression of the British 
Empire with strength from within the common people, based on traditional Indian values of 
austerity, dedication and selflessness. It is another important novel in the history of Bengali and 
Indian literature. Since it fuelled the patriotic struggle for Indian independence from the British 
Empire, the novel was banned by the British. The ban was lifted later by the government of India 
after independence. In this novel, Bankim Chandra reinforced his belief that armed face-to-face 
conflict with the Royal Army is the only way to win independence.
Prafulla is married but is shunned by her wealthy father-in-law, Haraballabh, because of a spat 
between him and her mother on the day of her wedding. By custom prevalent at that time, a girl, 
once married, could not be divorced or remarried. Heartbroken at the fate of her only child, her 
mother died after a few years.Prafulla takes the drastic step to flee in the middle of the night to 
find the house of her in-laws whom she has never known, without any money, with knowledge of 
only the name of the village and name of her father-in-law. Benevolent people, surprised to see 
her traveling alone, help her on the way. This is consistent with the custom in Bengal that all 
unknown women were to be treated as one's own mother. Her father in law rejects her and tells 
her to steal for a living. She goes back and through a lot of experiences meets the dacoit head 
Bhavani Thakur. Bhavani Thakur adopts her, educates her with maths, philosophy, science, 
literature and even wrestling. Eventually she becomes the queen of the dacoits and her 
intelligence and prowess are known throughout Bengal. Devi Chaudhurani as she's known, is the 
Bengali version of Robin Hood who regularly takes money from the rich and helps out the poor. 
Throughout she leads a very ascetic lifestyle and stays humble to her roots. In the climax, as Devi 
agrees to help out her father in law (he does not know who she is), he tells the British about her 
location. Royal Army surrounds the yacht, and the Major boards it with a few soldiers.
 A few rowers sit on the decks quietly, offering no resistance. Only three women and two men are 
found in the yacht — they all are quietly waiting for him in the royal room.When the men and 
women in the room recover, they are surrounded by a group of Queen's Guards who were quietly 
waiting disguised as sailors. In a single brilliant move, Devi has won the battle, captured the 
enemy leader, secured both her husband and father-in-law, and managed to do it with minimum 
loss of lives. The Major and other soldiers captured along with him are kept locked in. The women 
in the room agree to free Haraballabh and his son, if his son marries their sister. He agrees and 
Braja, Prafulla's husband is married to her again.
As they go back, Devi is accepted into the family and with her brains, training and leadership the 
family and the village thrive as never before. Devi won the battle.